10-Codes Still in Use?

I am curious if 10-Codes are still common place in WI. I know there has been a movement towards plain-talk, and I'm asking because it would seem silly to spend my time with 10-Code flash cards if indeed academies are no longer requiring them. All replies are appreciated-- thank you!

The agency I work for still uses them. It's not like we use every 10 code out there but we use just the common ones. Personally I wouldn't really bother going crazy studying 10 codes other than maybe the few that are commonly used. The other issue is places like Milwaukee use their own 10 codes that don't have a lot in common with other agencies.

Thank you for the replies. Seems like some general 10-Code knowledge (the basics) may be good, but I won't invest too much time into it. It won't take long to commit a dozen flash cards to memory. Thanks again, and have a good day.

10-Codes are in use from coast to coast but should be going away under what is known as the “plain talk initiative” . This is intended to facilitate seamless interoperability during joint operations where disparate radio codes and local jargon can cause issues. Further, under the National Incident Management System (NIMS) plain-talk is mandated for the same reasons.

Mind you this does not mean that agencies will not continue to use standard or regional 10-codes during routine communications, but there is a real push to remove them completely to avert the potential revision to them during an emergency.

It all depends on the county. In the county where I work full time, all of the municipalities use plain speak. However the deputies still use 10 codes. I work part time in a different county. Everyone uses 10 codes. There is little plain speak there. All calls, including routine calls like parking complaints and animal carcasses in the roadway, are dispatched via 10 code
and there is no talk of switching.

The forest I work in is located in three counties. The northern county is 10-code heavy, the mid one is a bit less so, and the southern one is rather lax. We dispatch through State Patrol and their 10-codes aren't all the exact same as the northern county's. Our forest radio frequency is plain speak because we have civilian customer service and maintenance workers. I wouldn't worry about the 10-codes, you will pick them up as you use them. In our squads we have a laminated list of the codes on our visor. That's what I would suggest.

We use very little radio traffic anymore, but when we do, we do use some of the 10-codes. I wouldn't worry about learning them all because like others have said each agency is different. You will learn the ones that are important in your agency during FTO.

According to the NIMS requirements, we are all supposed to dump the 10, 11, 12, Signal, and all other number codes and go to "Clear Text" or plain language. NIMS compliance was required about 5 years ago. Many LE organizations have not made the change and probably won't until the Federal Government forces them to. (cutting off Fed. Disaster Grant funding)